Route: John Musgrave Heritage Trail (United Kingdom)

Submitted by Andrew Reeve on Fri, 01/01/2021 - 10:03am
Location
United Kingdom
Distance
36.26 mi
Vertical Gain
5,962 ft
Description

The route follows the John Musgrave Heritage Trail which was "created from a generous legacy left by former chairman of the South Devon Ramblers" and is waymarked the whole way. More information can be found at the following link: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-finder/areas/devon/groups/south-devon/john-musgrave-heritage-trail.aspx

It's a fantastic, if somewhat meandering route that visits some of the finest viewpoints of Torbay and the surrounding countryside. Most is off road with some sections on quiet country lanes. Some turnings can be tricky to spot so it's worth having a good thorough look at the route beforehand (or following the GPS track). It starts at the beach car park in Maidencombe and finishes by the statue of William III at Brixham harbour. Fish and chips from nearby Rockfish is considered an appropriate conclusion to a successful attempt. The route can be run in either direction (although has a very slight net downhill starting in Maidencombe!)

The route includes a ferry across the River Dart from Dittisham to Greenway - swimming is also an option but tides should be carefully considered. To add a little chance into proceedings, the clock should continue to run during the wait for the ferry - consider it a test of your ringing skills (the bell is rung outside the Ferry Boat Inn to summon the ferry which parks at Greenway - one reason to run the trail the other way). I waited around 10-15 minutes on New Year's Day - perhaps the boat man had indulged in a few ales the previous evening? 

FKT can be solo, unsupported or supported. I had support once at the top of Cockington Lane, just before Marldon.

GPS Track